Healthcare Providers in North Canterbury

Primary healthcare services in North Canterbury are facilitated by the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). The CDHB is the second largest district health board in New Zealand, and serves over 500,000 people.

The Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation (RCPHO) works to provide essential primary healthcare services to their enrolled patients in North Canterbury. This means rural medical centres from Cheviot southwards will have qualified, experienced medical practitioners available to treat enrolled patients. The RCPHO also offers a number of specialist services: www.rcpho.org.nz/services/.

Mental Health Services in North Canterbury

Your GP can support you with any mental health concerns, and can refer you to the appropriate mental health support provider.

Those seeking urgent help for mental health issues should phone 0800 920 092 to speak to someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Midwives, Pregnancy Support & Maternity Care

There are a number of midwives either operating in, or willing to travel to, North Canterbury to provide midwifery support. The Find Your Midwife website lets you browse midwives by location as well as other criteria such as date, cultural preference and birthing location (e.g. homebirth, hospital birth, etc).

Alternatively, you can ask friends, family or your GP for recommendations.

Plunket provides free parenting education (antenatal) classes in Rangiora for expectant parents. For more information or to register visit: www.plunketppe.org.nz/.

Mothers required to birth at Christchurch Women’s Hospital for any reason can, in most cases, be transferred to Rangiora Health Hub for their postnatal care.

Infant & Pre-school Care

Plunket is the largest provider of free health and development support services for babies and pre-school aged children in New Zealand. There are approximately 10 Plunket clinics located throughout North Canterbury.

Your midwife or lead maternity carer will refer you to Plunket when your child is born. Or you can use the Plunket clinic finder to discover your local clinic: www.plunket.org.nz/plunket-near-you/.

Aged Care in North Canterbury

Approximately 17% of the North Canterbury population is now aged over 65. The increase in North Canterbury’s population, as well as the ageing of the existing population has seen a number of new retirement villages, rest homes and aged care facilities constructed in North Canterbury in recent years.

North Canterbury GPs and medical centre staff are trained to provide care or offer referrals to specialist care for elderly patients. The majority of specialist health services for elderly patients in Canterbury is undertaken at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch.

Meals on Wheels is available for the elderly in Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Speak to your GP for a referral to Meals on Wheels.